Spoiler alert: David D. is an Outkast fan. When I was 10, my friends and I took blank tapes and stood in front of the radio to catch “Elevators (Me & You)” so we could record Andre’s third verse (one of my favorite verses of all times). Later that year, I bought a tape just because it had a comic book cover. I had no clue that I was buying Outkast’s ATLiens which featured that same classic track. Since then, Outkast has pretty much dominated my life. Their albums have embedded themselves in my conscious in ways I sometimes don’t even realize.

Recently, I decided to make a note of some of the sayings or actions from Outkast songs that I have taken and allowed to infiltrate my everyday life. So, here goes my list of 8 things I do almost every day solely due to me listening to the Kast.

1. “Tambout” (See also: Nahmtibbytambout)

This is a Big Boi creation. “Talking About,” when said with a pimp’s dialect and a mouthful of fried catfish, sounds like “tambout.” Most recently, this language phenom can be found on the opening lines of “General Patton.” It also can be found in any TSS email exchange, because “tambout” is an acceptable word in our personal e-vernacular. If you want the bonus, check Big’s last verse on “Snappin’ and Trappin‘” for “Nahmtibbytambout” which is translated to “I really, really hope you understand what I am trying to say to you right now and take heed to these words.”

2. Raining Cats and Dragons

We’ve all heard “raining cats and dogs”. *Yawn* That’s a boring description compared to Dré’s flip of the common saying. He says this on one of my favorite Outkast tracks, “Da Art Of Storytellin’ (Pt. 2)“. If it’s raining outside, you can guarantee that I’ll be using this phrase.

3. That “Bawthers Me”

If you listen to the monologues from The Love Below‘s “Happy Valentines Day,” you can hear Three Stacks, towards the end, say “…and that bawthers me” in some sort of unmistakable drawl. I have no clue why that stuck with me, but I say it just like Dré did every time.

4. Fantastically Well!

This is also on The Love Below during the hilarious “Good Day, Good Sir” skit. When asked how I’m doing, I respond with “Fantastically well…” Now, how much of the skit I quote is directly related to how much I’ve had to drink. But I have been known to take it quite far.

Waiter: How are you guys doing today?

Me: Fantastically well but not fine by far. But you could say I’m close to spectacular? Close to spectacular? Whatever do you mean? Well, spectacular’s right in front of you…

Waiter: *blink* *blink* *backs away slowly*

5. Terrorize Anyone Named Nathaniel

One of two things happen when I meet someone named Nathaniel:

I either say “Nathaniel…get jacked like Daniels!” every single time they walk into a room or I start quoting the lyrics from the “Nathaniel” skit from Aquemini. Again, every time Nathaniel walks into a room. Does it get old? No. Well, certainly not for me, so it can’t get old for anyone else.

6. A-T-LLLLLLL

This is possibly one of the most recognized skits from Stankonia. But every single time I pass by Atlanta, I have to sing “A-T-LLLLLL/Cruisin’ in the A-T-LLLLL” which inevitably is followed by…

7. Break!

Every skit on Stankonia ended with “Break!” So, naturally, any time I’m involved with any sort of planning, it has to end with “Break!” To the untrained ear, I’m just saying “break” like the end of any huddle, but Kast fans know: Break!

8. Baby Gotta Eat!

This is admittedly a weird one. Every time I hear a baby cry, I either think or say aloud: “baby gotta eat!” from the beginning of “Slump“. Now, this baby doesn’t have to be any one I know or even remotely near the vicinity I’m in. I just need to hear a baby cry, and I’m harmonizing “Baby gotta eat!” This has caused quite a few mace incidents involving me and protective mothers, but it’s all been worth it for the sake of music.

Now, I’ve been called weird for doing any and all of these things. But I have a feeling I’m not alone. So join me in the Church of Kast and share the ways the duo has soaked into your souls. Hell, if there’s anything else you do every day thanks to a rap lyric, feel free to share that as well. And all members of the congregation, take back from the collection plate and enter the Big Boi x GoodWood Contest.

As usual, great post ..yo I remember when ATLiens dropped my older brother found Big Ma’s old headwrap and used it as a turban like the one Dre 3000 had..this nigga went everywhere with that shit on and dared a nigga to say something sideways about it lmao

07.27.10 at 4:56 pm

Jeff F Davis

@ Dirk
I do the same thing lol

I remember quoting that skit from Stankonia too, that one and the one where he said “they say a compruter can do my job better than I could damn do it..maaan po me another drink”..Break!! lol

07.27.10 at 4:57 pm

Patrick M.

– Call stuff Sweeter than a plate of Yams with extra syrup

– After a frank discussion tell people its “just my interpertation…of the situation”

– After saying something profound tell people to “go on and marinate on that”

And that’s just from one song.

07.27.10 at 4:59 pm

TC

And forever holla HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTY HOOOOOOOOO when we see cops…

“Boi stop” is funny because that’s been a GA/southern catch phrase since my middle school days (late 90’s) but the first time I heard Big Boi say it on a record was that Brooke Valentine “Girl Fight” song.

1. Everytime some refers to “me and you.” For example ,”Me and you should hit up that record shop on Clark.” I always interrupt with a “your momma and your cousin too?” Instant punch in the arm, usually.

I’m glad to know that I ain’t the only one with the Outkast-isms. Great post, had to chuckle a few times reading the post and comments.

07.27.10 at 7:44 pm

ARon

Man who knows how many lines of theirs I’m reciting daily, this is funny.

For the record, the horns from Spottie…=greatest ring tone ever

07.27.10 at 7:52 pm

Fremont's Finest

^^^^^^

Hell yes.

07.27.10 at 8:16 pm

HughG.Rection

Ha…this is the best post ever I constantly use Outkast lyrics in everyday conversation…when i used to work at the sub shop we would call ourselves the blimp (blimpies) pimp gangsta clique, but i use most of the above daily… i also like to say that I’m colder than a polar bear’s toenail in the winter

07.27.10 at 8:17 pm

bruno

…n im still coolr thn a polar bears toenails.pow.

07.27.10 at 8:19 pm

Nico

Great post, although the line is definitely “raining cats & jackals” as a jackal is a dog

07.27.10 at 8:19 pm

bruno

^^^damn homie beat me 2it.thers way2many 2mention.

07.27.10 at 8:21 pm

HughG.Rection

Exactly my dude…that’s why without a doubt they the greatest to ever do it…I also like to say sprinkle sprinkle motherfucker don’t be crying on me when people complain

07.27.10 at 8:44 pm

SquarerootZ

On point post. I can relate. Outkast remains influential in my day to day speech. I still reefer to a bag of smoke “Dank” (see what i did right there?), I’ve been known to reply to a greeting or inquiry as to how I’m doing or feeling with ” I’m cooler than a polar bears toenails”. I still call women with promiscuity issues “Jazzy Belles” and if I just happen to make plans with someone to leave my domain to go and visit theirs, I always say “I’ll call before I come, I won’t just pop up over…out the blueeeee”…

07.27.10 at 8:49 pm

bonanz

LOL, “i tell you what you Ain’t got” i always say “aineenatyet” when talking about something fresh out the box, i doubt anyone ever gets what i’m referencing… baby gotta eat, sung like the skit always comes out of my mouth, and also tambout, even if it came from somewhere else, outkast made it stick…and i also always pause when having to type the real word “outcast” in a sentence because it just doesnt seem right.

07.27.10 at 8:54 pm

HughG.Rection

Bitch don’t disrespect me…never not at all..when I’m in wifebeatin mode I also like to quote that line

07.27.10 at 9:12 pm

Terek

Dopest lines from an OutKast record that showcased their ability to connect with the youth

“YKK on your zipper…” -So Fresh, So Clean

“Dre 3000’s verse from “Skew it on the Barbie” (in its entirety)

“Like a Puppy on a triple D titty, just getting drunk…cause you miscalculated, the next to the last pump” -Big Boi’s verse from UGK’s International Players Anthem

07.27.10 at 9:39 pm

Phillmatic Respect The King and LeBron Too

11. Stay off that blow

07.27.10 at 9:52 pm

Brock

@Patrick M.

I’m right with you especially “marinate”

Gotta add “Gimme some head” & “I’m just F*cking wit ya Baby” from the Club Donkey Ass skit, I hit my girl with one of those at least once a day.

OR

“I want greens, bills, divideens; thats what I’m talkin ’bout”

And of course I make my mama proud and take it 2 sizes down

07.27.10 at 9:54 pm

Brock

I’ve heard its not where you from but where you pay rent

There’s just too many, for real

07.27.10 at 10:39 pm

D

First off, GOMAB to David D for having the comment section on lock the past two days w/ this & the Lil B post…

“Where are my Panties Skit”
-This plays in my head every time I wake up w/ a young lady on my chest. And if they haven’t heard it before, I’m obligated to play it.

SpottieOttie has been my ringtone for the past year and will probably never be replaced.

Played at least one OutKast track every week for over a year on my radio show.

“can’t gamble feedin baby on that dope money might not always be sufficient”—hahah my friend was workin at the united parcel service and then he got fired cuz he had cloudy piss LMAO

“How we loove dee hoez”- self explanatory

07.28.10 at 12:04 am

MJB

Great post and comments.

I say cloudy piss more than I realized. So much from SpottieOttie reclaims a spot in my vocab each year. And yes, those horns are just…well, y’all know.

When I think folks are fuckin up: “Don’t do it, reconsider, read some liter-ature on the subject…”
A random tipsy vocal spasm: “Forever pimpin’, never slippin’ that’s how it is…”
Watchin the damn news: “Niggas killing niggas they don’t understand (whisper: what is the master plan”
When I’m feelin badder than other broads: “Cause *I’ll* be waiting to exhale while you other hoes be dumb and dumber

07.28.10 at 12:43 am

TC

I say cloudy piss more than I realized.

^^^

Ha! That’s a good one!

07.28.10 at 12:39 am

bruno

real shit i aint been on tss tht long.im wondrn if yall hav evr had a post wit more commnts thn tht lil b travesty…?…..eithr way we need2 make ths1a record settr.its def 1of the most intrestn1iv been apart of or seen….lets make it happen.ths is real music n the effect it had on ur life.somthng we’v been missn on a consistnt basis 4a long time.nawimtambout……pow.

07.28.10 at 1:41 am

FranklinNitty

COOLER THAN A POLARBEAR TOE NAIL, ALL HAIL!

07.28.10 at 2:39 am

TapOut

To my friends or someone I care about – ” Don’t do it! Reconsider! You sure on the subject! ” in my best Andre voice.

Another one – ” slippin’ is something I dont do, tippin’ for life *harmonized* uhhmmmm ”